4 July 2026

Argentina narrowly avoided a shocking World Cup exit in Miami, ending Cape Verde’s remarkable debut campaign in dramatic fashion after a tense 120-minute encounter.

The reigning world champions twice surrendered their lead in a pulsating contest before ultimately prevailing 3-2 in extra-time. The match featured a series of stunning moments, including what will be remembered as one of the tournament’s greatest goals — Sidny Lopes Cabral’s curling strike that left Emiliano Martinez helpless.

Cabral’s wonder goal, scored in the 103rd minute, levelled the match at 2-2 after Lisandro Martinez had fired Argentina ahead early in extra-time. That earlier goal only came after Lionel Messi’s first-half opener was cancelled out by Deroy Duarte’s equaliser for Cape Verde.

Cabral’s emotional celebration, climbing into the stands to embrace his family, looked set to become the defining image of the game — and perhaps the World Cup itself. However, Argentina delivered a cruel twist in the final stages as Cristian Romero challenged for a Messi corner, forcing Borges to inadvertently turn the ball into his own net.

Messi had looked dangerous from the outset, giving the Cape Verde defence an early scare after 15 minutes when his low effort flashed wide of the far post. Minutes later, he struck his 20th World Cup finals goal — a moment of brilliance that reminded fans of his enduring quality. Lisandro Martinez sent a lofted ball over the top, and Messi controlled it deftly with the outside of his left boot before lifting it high into Vozinha’s net.

Despite Argentina’s dominance, Cape Verde refused to back down. Their persistence paid off in the 59th minute when Ryan Mendes slipped a clever pass through an opponent’s legs to find Duarte unmarked in the box. Duarte finished clinically, drilling his shot through Lisandro Martinez’s legs and inside the far post.

Moments later, Vozinha denied Messi in a one-on-one situation, before reacting sharply to prevent a quick free-kick from catching him off guard. The match then headed into extra-time — a testament to Cape Verde’s resilience against the side ranked second in the world, while they sit 13th in Africa.

Argentina regained their advantage just two minutes into extra-time when Lisandro Martinez capitalised on a corner, smashing the ball into the roof of the net. But the underdogs responded with a goal that will live long in memory: Cabral’s audacious left-wing strike that soared into the top corner beyond Emiliano Martinez’s reach.

That equaliser made the final act all the more heartbreaking for Cape Verde. With ten minutes remaining in extra-time, Romero rose highest from another Messi corner, and Borges, attempting to clear, inadvertently deflected the ball past his own goalkeeper, Vozinha.

Argentina advance, their title defence still alive, but Cape Verde depart with heads held high after one of the most inspiring runs in recent World Cup memory.

Additional reporting: PA